Stick saddle for hockey training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A stick mounting device allows one or more hockey stick resembling members to be mounted on an existing hockey training apparatus.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims priority to Canadian application 3,073,635 filed Feb. 25, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The current disclosure relates to training equipment and in particular to hockey training equipment.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 depicts an existing hockey training apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 may be used as an obstacle for skating and/or puck handling drills. The apparatus 100 comprises an elongated member 102 that may rest on a perpendicular support member 104 at one end and on the playing surface at the other end. The elongated member may have an opening 106 through which a puck may be passed. One or more apparatuses may be placed about the ice and used to skate around, jump over, pass under, etc. in order to practice various skills. The elongated member 102 may have one or more recesses 108, 110 on the top surface to receive a hockey stick resembling member 112 that may be used provide an additional obstacle for providing variation in the training options.

While the hockey training apparatus 100 provides a flexible training apparatus, it would be desirable to provide additional flexibility in the training options provided by the training apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an existing hockey training apparatus;

FIGS. 2 through 8 are different views of a stick mounting device for a hockey training apparatus such as the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 depicts the stick mounting device of FIGS. 2 through 8 mounted to the hockey training apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 depicts the stick mounting device of FIGS. 2 through 8 mounted to the hockey training apparatus of FIG. 1 with hockey stick resembling members; and

FIG. 11 depicts the stick mounting device of FIGS. 2 through 8 mounted to a hockey training apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present disclosure there is provided a stick mounting device for mounting on a hockey training apparatus, the stick mounting device comprising: a U-shaped channel member size to fit over an elongated member of the hockey training apparatus; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the stick mounting device, the stick mounting device further comprises: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the stick mounting device, the stick mounting device further comprises: a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the stick mounting device, the stick mounting device further comprises: one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the stick mounting device, the first side extension has an angled sidewall.

In accordance with the current disclosure, there is further provided a training apparatus comprising: a support member; an elongated member resting perpendicularly on the support member at one end of the elongated member and on a playing surface at the other end of the elongated member, the elongated member having an open section through which a puck may be passed; a U-shaped channel member fit over the elongated member; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the training apparatus, the training apparatus further comprises: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the training apparatus, the training apparatus further comprises: a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus; and a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over the recess in the top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the training apparatus, the training apparatus further comprises one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the training apparatus, the first side extension has an angled sidewall.

In a further embodiment of the training apparatus, the support member comprises at least one additional recess within a top surface of the support member sized to receive an additional hockey-stick resembling member.

In accordance with the current disclosure, there is further provided a training kit comprising: a training apparatus comprising: a support member; and an elongated member resting perpendicularly on the support member at one end of the elongated member and on a playing surface at the other end of the elongated member, the elongated member having an open section through which a puck may be passed; and a stick mounting device comprising: a U-shaped channel member size to fit over an elongated member of the hockey training apparatus; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the training kit further comprises: one or more hockey stick resembling members.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the stick mounting device further comprises: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the stick mounting device further comprises a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the stick mounting device further comprises one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the first side extension of the stick mounting device has an angled sidewall.

In a further embodiment of the training kit, the support member of the training apparatus comprises at least one additional recess within a top surface of the support member sized to receive an additional hockey-stick resembling member.

A stick mounting device is described further below that can be easily mounted to an existing hockey training apparatus. The stick mounting device has a saddle shape that allows the device to fit over an elongated member of the hockey training apparatus. One or more side extensions extend away from the sidewalls of the device and provide a location for one or more mounting recesses. The mounting recesses are sized to receive a hockey stick resembling member. The recesses may have protrusions extending into the recess in order to provide a secure hold to the hockey stick resembling member. The mounting recess may be sized and shaped such that the hockey stick resembling member is locked in position when received within the recess. Alternatively, the recess may be sized and shaped to retain the hockey stick resembling member while allowing the hockey stick resembling member to be rotated to different positions within the recess.

FIGS. 2 through 8 are different views of a stick mounting device for a hockey training apparatus such as the apparatus of FIG. 1. The device 200 comprises a central U-shaped channel 202 that is sized to fit over the elongated member 102 of the hockey training apparatus 100. The U-shaped channel 202 may have a friction type fit over the elongated member 102. Additionally or alternatively, the U-shaped channel 202 may have one or more mounting structures that can be used to secure the device 200 to the hockey training apparatus 100. For example, the mounting structures may comprise clips, protrusions or other structures for securing device 200 to the training apparatus 100. The device 200 may be made from various materials, including for example, impact resistant plastics, thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, resins, metals, etc.

The device 200 may have side extensions 204 a, 204 b (referred to collectively as side extensions 204). The side extensions 204 may have a wedge shape that extends away from the side of the U-shaped channel 202. The wedge shape of the side extensions 204 may have angled thermoset plastics sides that extend from the side of the U-shaped channel 202 and meet at an outer edge of the wedge-shaped side extensions. The angled sides of the side extensions may provide an additional puck obstacle by deflecting a puck at an angle away from the hockey training apparatus. The side extensions 204 may have a top surface in which there is a stick mounting recess 206 a, 206 b (referred to collectively as stick mounting recesses 206).

The stick mounting recesses 206 are sized and shaped to receive a corresponding portion of a hockey stick resembling member. The stick mounting recesses 206 may be deep enough in order to securely hold the hockey stick resembling member. The stick mounting recesses 206 may have a closed bottom or an open bottom. The size and shape of the stick mounting recesses 206 may correspond to the size and shape of an end of the hockey stick resembling member so that the hockey stick resembling member is held in a fixed orientation when received within the recess. Alternatively, the stick mounting recess may be sized and shape to securely hold the hockey stick resembling member while allowing the hockey stick resembling member to be rotated within the recess.

The stick mounting device 200 may fit securely over the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus. The stick mounting device 200 may be mounted at different positions along the elongated member. A top surface of the U-shaped channel member 202 may have an opening 208 there through which allows a hockey stick resembling member to pass through the opening and be received within one or more stick mounting recesses 108, 110 located along a top surface of the elongated member 102 of the hockey training apparatus 100. The stick mounting device 200 may have one or more fastening locations 210 a, 210 b, 212 a, 212 b that can be used by one or more fasteners to secure the stick mounting device 200 to the elongated member 102 of the hockey training apparatus 100.

FIG. 9 depicts the stick mounting device of FIGS. 2 through 8 mounted to the hockey training apparatus of FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 9, the stick mounting device 200 may be placed over the elongated member 102 of the hockey training apparatus. The hole 208 may mount over a stick mounting recess on the top of the elongated member 202. The stick mounting device 200 may provide additional locations for mounting one or more hockey stick resembling members.

The stick mounting device 200 may be placed over the elongated member 102 at various locations. For example, the stick mounting device 200 may be mounted at a location along the elongated member that contacts the surface, as depicted in FIG. 9. Alternatively, the stick mounting device 200 may be positioned over a portion of the elongated member with the passing opening 106, in which case the stick mounting device 200 reduces the size of the opening 106.

FIG. 10 depicts a combined apparatus of a hockey training apparatus with a stick mounting device. As depicted the hockey stick mounting device 200 is mounted to the training apparatus 100. The combined apparatus 1000 allows a number of hockey stick resembling members 1010 a, 1010 b, 1010 c to be mounted simultaneously. The hockey stick resembling members can be mounted at different angles. Depending upon the hockey stick resembling members that are mounted, and the angles they are mounted at, the combined apparatus may present different challenges to a player training with the combined apparatus.

FIG. 11 depicts the stick mounting device of FIGS. 2 through 8 mounted to a hockey training apparatus. The hockey training apparatus 1100 is similar to the hockey training apparatus 100 described above; however, the hockey training apparatus 1100 incorporates a perpendicular support member 1102 that incorporates additional mounting recesses for receiving additional hockey stick resembling members 1110 d, 1110 e. The training apparatus 1100 includes a hockey stick resembling member 1110 a mounted at a rear section of the apparatus 1100. A hockey stick mounting device 200 is mounted over the elongated member of the training apparatus 1100 and provides additional mounting points for receiving additional hockey stick resembling members 1110 b, 1110 c.

The hockey stick mounting device 200 and training apparatuses described above provide numerous options for mounting different hockey stick resembling members in different locations on the apparatus as well as in different orientations. The training apparatus may be used without any hockey stick resembling members or with one or more hockey stick resembling members mounted. The number of hockey stick resembling members that are mounted, along with their location and orientation, can provide for different training exercises as well as varying degrees of difficulty of training exercises.

The hockey stick mounting device 200 described above may be provided as a separate device from the training apparatus 100 and mounted to an existing training apparatus. Additionally or alternatively the hockey stick mounting device 200 may be provided as a kit with a training apparatus 100 and one or more hockey stick resembling members. Although depicted as a separate device, the stick mounting device, with the side extensions and mounting recesses may be formed with the training apparatus.

Although described with reference to a particular implementation of the stick mounting device and hockey training apparatus, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of the device/apparatus may be varied without departing from the teachings of the current disclosure. For example, the profile of the elongated member 102 and the corresponding shape of the U-shaped channel may have a different profile than that depicted in the figures. Additionally, further stick mounting devices may be longer than the stick mounting device 200 depicted in the figures. Additional stick mounting recesses may be located along one or both sides of the stick mounting device. Further still, the stick mounting device may comprise a single side extension and single stick mounting recess. 

1. A stick mounting device for mounting on a hockey training apparatus, the stick mounting device comprising: a U-shaped channel member size to fit over an elongated member of the hockey training apparatus; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.
 2. The stick mounting device of claim 1, further comprising: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.
 3. The stick mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.
 4. The stick mounting device of claim 1, further comprising one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.
 5. The stick mounting device of claim 1, wherein the first side extension has an angled sidewall.
 6. A training apparatus comprising: a support member; an elongated member resting perpendicularly on the support member at one end of the elongated member and on a playing surface at the other end of the elongated member, the elongated member having an open section through which a puck may be passed; a U-shaped channel member fit over the elongated member; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.
 7. The training apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.
 8. The training apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus; and a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over the recess in the top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.
 9. The training apparatus of claim 6, further comprising one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.
 10. The training apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first side extension has an angled sidewall.
 11. The training apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support member comprises at least one additional recess within a top surface of the support member sized to receive an additional hockey-stick resembling member.
 12. A training kit comprising: a training apparatus comprising: a support member; and an elongated member resting perpendicularly on the support member at one end of the elongated member and on a playing surface at the other end of the elongated member, the elongated member having an open section through which a puck may be passed; and a stick mounting device comprising: a U-shaped channel member size to fit over an elongated member of the hockey training apparatus; a first side extension extending away from a first side of the U-shaped channel member; and a first recess within a top surface of the first side extension sized to receive a hockey-stick resembling member.
 13. The training kit of claim 12, further comprising one or more hockey stick resembling members.
 14. The training kit of claim 12, wherein the stick mounting device further comprises: a second side extension extending away from a second side of the U-shaped channel member; and a second recess within a top surface of the second side extension sized to receive the hockey-stick resembling member.
 15. The training kit of claim 12, wherein the stick mounting device further comprises a hole within a top surface of the U-shaped channel member, the hole sized to fit over a recess in a top surface of the elongated member of the training apparatus.
 16. The training kit of claim 12, wherein the stick mounting device further comprises one or more fastening points located on the first side or the second side of the U-shaped channel member through which a fastening member may be placed to secure the stick mounting device to the elongated member of the hockey training apparatus.
 17. The training kit of claim 12, wherein the first side extension of the stick mounting device has an angled sidewall.
 18. The training kit of claim 12, wherein the support member of the training apparatus comprises at least one additional recess within a top surface of the support member sized to receive an additional hockey-stick resembling member. 